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prisskitty

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So yeah I thought I could feed live rats to my ball pythons. I picked up the live rat by the tail to feed it and it squeaked. That was it. That cute noise saved two rats that are now my pets. Instead I am going to rehome the snakes who wouldn’t eat anything to start with. (Didn’t even show interest in the smell). I have them in a 20 gallon long aquarium until I can rat-safe the extra cage I got my rescue chinchilla in.

If anybody has rats I could take some tips. Since I saved them late last night I went to walmart and got carefresh bedding, a plastic hide-hut, two bowls for fresh food and then dry lab blocks, and I got the Premium (walmart) lab blocks for now. I want to get Kaytee but I have to wait until a paycheck. Since the Kaytee comes fortified with omega-3 fatty acids.

I named the girls Milkie and Maltie. I am hoping to have them moved into the other cage soon and I want to get them a hammock and tube. Does anyone know any rat forums or places to buy rat toys? Also, if anyone knows any good treats for them. I gave them lab blocks and two grapes last night.
 
It might be different for rats (I really don't know), but check on giving them grapes. Grapes are actually toxic to some animals, like dogs. Like I said, I'm not sure, but it's worth checking out.

I know how you feel about saving them. The only live food I can feed anything is crickets. My husband wants a big snake SO BAD, but I couldn't watch it eat...

I'm sure Milkie and Maltie thank you!! :)
 
Oh yeah of course I checked before giving grapes. They enjoy grapes and bananas and its actually recommended.
 
I wouldn't have been able to feed snakes live food either and I am happy to hear you adopted the two little guys.
 
I guess it's wonderful and all that you "saved" two rats' lives, but why did you get snakes if you weren't willing to do what it takes to feed & care for them?

Some snakes will only eat live. Some snakes will only eat fresh killed. Some snakes will only eat frozen/thawed. That's the way it is.

So now you have a couple of ball pythons that have gone who knows how long without a meal and you're going to be rehoming them now. Great.

These snakes deserve an owner who is actually prepared to care for them.
 
Actually, with most snakes they don't recommend feeding live because of the danger to the snake (scratching the eyes, pits, etc.). There is also a danger if the snake does not eat the mouse right away. Mice/rats have been known to nibble on reptiles if given the chance, and rodent bites often lead to infections in the reptile.

I have two veiled chameleons, and most breeders don't even recommend leaving crickets in with them because the reptile might get chewed up.
 
I have heard it said by many people who feed live that their snakes "won't eat anything else." I've been told by long time, very experienced herp folks that that's bunk. You can get them to eat frozen, it just takes time and patience. It's safer for your snakes and other reptiles than live as well.

Good for you for not feeding live, screaming rats to your snakes. I think it's a sickening, disgusting, and cruel practice. I can barely tolerate giving my bearded dragon bugs, and that's a quick crunch and they are gone. I'd rather eat my arm before feeding a live rodent to something.

Rats rule is an excellent resource, as has been posted already. Anything and everything you want to know about rats, that's the place to go. The goosemoose forum is outstanding. I wouldn't stick with the store bought blocks though, unless you can get Oxbow (which are the only one's my rats will eat). Instead, find someone you can order either the Oxbow or Harlan Teklad from.

Try and get them out of that tank as soon as possible too. It's just not a great set up for a ratkid.

And, as I usually say when someone falls for a rattie, welcome to the dark side...........:)
 
Meredith said:
I guess it's wonderful and all that you "saved" two rats' lives, but why did you get snakes if you weren't willing to do what it takes to feed & care for them?

Some snakes will only eat live. Some snakes will only eat fresh killed. Some snakes will only eat frozen/thawed. That's the way it is.

So now you have a couple of ball pythons that have gone who knows how long without a meal and you're going to be rehoming them now. Great.

These snakes deserve an owner who is actually prepared to care for them.
Click to expand...

Before you jump on the bandwagon of accusing me of not being able to care for my snakes. Both were given to me because they were in worse conditions, they ate a month and two weeks ago --one was fed live one was force fed (not a good sign for an adult having to be force fed).

All my other snakes eat f/t. I knew I'd have to feed live on first try. I attempted, with no response from the snakes at all. If the snakes not flicking its tounge out to smell the food or shows no interest, then that means they don't see rats as a food whether its frozen or live. So, I will have to get frozen african mice (if not illegal in my state) or use gerbil bedding and scent frozen rats to get a response. I prefer never to feed live, it is very cruel. That's the nature of a snake in the wild but not neccesary in captive. I have seen a ball python ridiculed and destroyed by a rat. Neither of them are good for each other alive.

I am rehoming them to a breeder most likely that I know who has the time to work on them eating. I just had to get them out of that damp basement and condition they were in. The one girl just went through a bad shed but the male did fine. I assume the male will eat a f/t and I will attempt that tonight. They were given to me in their condition. Their BCI I was supposed to pick up too died before it had a chance.

Either way though, I have taken plenty good care of all my animals. I research until my eyes are blind from the burning scorch of my screen. I know whats wrong with the BPs, their pitiful condition before I got them. They may not eat for months due to that. The may never eat. I don't believe in force feeding though. That too is very stressful on the snake. Once or if they poop they will be getting a parasite test too.
 
tunes said:
I have heard it said by many people who feed live that their snakes "won't eat anything else." I've been told by long time, very experienced herp folks that that's bunk. You can get them to eat frozen, it just takes time and patience. It's safer for your snakes and other reptiles than live as well.

Good for you for not feeding live, screaming rats to your snakes. I think it's a sickening, disgusting, and cruel practice. I can barely tolerate giving my bearded dragon bugs, and that's a quick crunch and they are gone. I'd rather eat my arm before feeding a live rodent to something.

Rats rule is an excellent resource, as has been posted already. Anything and everything you want to know about rats, that's the place to go. The goosemoose forum is outstanding. I wouldn't stick with the store bought blocks though, unless you can get Oxbow (which are the only one's my rats will eat). Instead, find someone you can order either the Oxbow or Harlan Teklad from.

Try and get them out of that tank as soon as possible too. It's just not a great set up for a ratkid.

And, as I usually say when someone falls for a rattie, welcome to the dark side...........:)
Click to expand...


Thanks tunes! I plan to order from http://www.craftyrat.com for the Harlan which I've read a ton about. I can't do that unfortunately until next paycheck so I will try not to over-feed them on the junky premium 8-1 brand.

But, I checked at the local pet-stores and all they have is Kaytee and Reggie Rat. No oxbow. They DO have Oxbow for my chinnie though. :) So I don't have to order online anymore.

Anyways, I have this cage:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753342
Without the wheels though. (And an older version but same size).

I have that or the 20 gallon aquarium. These girls are between 4-5 months old so they may be able to squeeze which I am afraid of.
 
Eesh yeah, good for you for saving those poor rats. At the aquarium when we got a new Amazon tree boa in, he was used to eating live so we had to wean him off of that. Not fun at all.
Now we need pictures of the girls!
 
I hope you don't feel bad that they won't eat for you; ball pythons are notorious for randomly not eating (I'm advising my husband against them, but he has his heart set). I'm sure your ratties will make more fun, entertaining pets!!

Take care! :)
 
My friend offered to take the BPs off my hand. He has worked with them for 20+ years.
 
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